DECEMBER 29 • 2022 | 29
faces&places
T
he Shul’s Women’s Circle enjoyed a wonderful eve-
ning of camaraderie with food and inspiration. The
highlight was a unique presentation by Rabbi Mendel
Kalmenson about his book Positivity Bias.
Following the presentation was a Q&A portion that was
animated and insightful. The event was followed by five
weeks of continued discussion amongst friends sharing
insight and inspiration.
Rabbi Kalmenson is the rabbi of Beit Baruch and executive
director of Chabad of Belgravia, London, where he lives
with his wife, Chana, and children. He was also the editor
at Chabad.org and the author of the popular books Seeds of
Wisdom, A Time to Heal and Positivity Bias. His latest book
is titled People of the Word: 50 words that shaped Jewish
thinking.
Rabbi Kalmenson’s book Positivity Bias displays a mix of
nature, nurture, social conditioning and free will. We each
possess a personalized lens that frames, forms, clouds and
distorts the way we see ourselves and the world around us.
In order to live in the most meaningful and effective way
possible, each of us needs to continually assess and adjust the
default frames we have developed.
In Positivity Bias, we learn that life is essentially good; that
positive perception is applicable and accessible to all; that it
derives from objective, rational insight, not subjective, wish-
ful imagination; and that positive living is a matter of choice,
not circumstance.
An inspiring and life-enriching tapestry woven from hun-
dreds of stories, letter, anecdotes and vignettes, Positivity Bias
highlights how the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem
M. Schneerson of righteous memory, considered among the
most influential rabbis in modern history, taught us to see
ourselves, others and the world around us.
Itty Shemtov is education director at The Shul in West Bloomfield. To learn
more about the Shul’s Women’s Circle Book Club head to www.theshul.net.
ITTY SHEMTOV SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
The Shul’s Women’s
Circle Book Club
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE SHUL
PHOTOS ABOVE: These participants are ready to head home with
renewed commitment to positive living.
Smiles and
camaraderie
frame an
evening of
inspiration.